Total NI devolution nears with police budget

The final stage of devolution in Northern Ireland is close to completion after Gordon Brown published a budget for the transfer of policing and justice.

Mr Brown interrupted the start of prime minister's questions to announce the publication of proposals for a financial settlement on the issue.

The prime minister had been locked in talks with first and deputy first ministers Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness at Downing St last night, which he said were 'careful, detailed and considered' discussions.

Mr McGuinness had previously said he thought policing and justice powers could be transferred from Westminster to Stormont before the end of the year.

He and Mr Robinson are due to present the budget proposals, thought to be about £800 million, to colleagues later today.

'We see getting public confidence as being an essential ingredient – it was a commitment in our manifesto, and part of the confidence-building is having confidence in the financial arrangements,' Mr Robinson said.

'I think any fool can produce a wants list but the proposals that are presented by the prime minister have to be viewed by all of us.'

In his statement on the budget, Mr Brown said: 'Together we have, I believe, achieved an outcome in which we each have confidence and which will ensure that when policing and justice powers are transferred, the Northern Ireland justice department will have a secure financial foundation which we all recognise is important in ensuring confidence in the policing and justice services across the community.'